Study Debunks 'Internet Predator' Stereotypes

February 19, 2008 11:09 a.m. EST

Washington, DC (AHN)-Contrary to popular belief, Internet sex predators target teenagers and not young kids, cites a new study. Also, a majority of Internet sex predators are not adults who pose as another youth to victimize children by enticing them to meet then abducting or forcibly raping them.

The study, which was based on three surveys, revealed that Internet sex offenders rarely use force but instead gain the trust and confidence of their victims before seducing them into sexual relationships. The victims of these predators are mostly teenagers who mistake the attention for love.

The study, 'Online Predators and Their Victims: Myths, Realities, and Implications for Prevention and Treatment', was conducted through telephone interviews with 3,000 Internet users between 10 years old and 17 years old in 2000 and 2005. Interviews with 612 U.S. federal, state and local law enforcement officials were also conducted between October 2001 and July 2002.

According to the researchers, young people who were most vulnerable to online sex offenders had histories of sexual or physical abuse, family problems, and are adventurous on the Internet or have most likely talked online about sex.

The studies were conducted by Janis Wolak, JD, David Finkelhor, PhD, Kimberly Mitchell, PhD and Michele Ybarra, PhD, at the Crimes against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire.

According to Wolak, "Most Internet-initiated sex crimes involve adult men who are open about their interest in sex. The offenders use instant messages, e-mail and chat rooms to meet and develop intimate relationships with their victims. In most of the cases, the victims are aware that they are talking online with adults."

To effectively prevent Internet sex-related crimes, "accurate information about their true dynamics" should be determined first, she said. Wolak and her colleagues also emphasized the need to guide teenagers in particular about the danger or risks involved in Internet-based activities. They said it would help if parents or guardians will discuss the dynamics of Internet-initiated sex crimes.

The findings, published in the February/March issue of American Psychologist, include concluded that only 5 percent of online offenders pretended to be teenagers.

Researchers also found 75 percent of victims who met online predators did so more than once.

Teenagers who engaged in four or more risky online behaviors were much more likely to report receiving online sexual solicitations. The online risky behaviors included maintaining buddy lists that included strangers, discussing sex online with people they did not know in person and being rude or nasty online.